Comal County Prepares for Tourists

New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung reporter David Compton interviewed County Judge Sherman Krause about the summer tourist season during the newspaper's weekly live-streamed video.

Comal County Judge Sherman Krause says the county’s gearing up for the summer tourist season and will provide law enforcement for Water-Oriented Recreation District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In a live-stream interview on NB Today May 23, Krause told New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung’s David Compton that in addition to honoring contracts with these groups, Comal County’s road department is standing by, ready to fix potholes and remove tree limbs and objects from roadways.

But tourism is just part of what the county must manage in the months ahead.

Comal County remains the second fastest-growing county — of any size — in the United States.

More People Mean More Crime

As county commissioners begin the budget process for 2019, Krause said they’re taking a hard look at the need for additional law enforcement, jail space, courtrooms, judges and prosecutors.

“Any time you start talking about spending additional taxpayer dollars over what you’re spending now by adding infrastructure or adding new employees to take care of that problem, you’re talking about spending more money, taking more money from taxpayers, and that’s always difficult things to do,” he said.

Construction already is underway for the new Comal County jail. Piers are being drilled for the foundation. In less than six weeks, the slab will be poured.

Interior demolition has begun in the Comal County Courthouse, which used to be a bank building. Vaults must be removed.

“It’s exciting to see that,” Krause said. “If you walk into that building today, it looks so much different than it did two or three weeks ago.”

Additional courtroom space will be added to the Landa Building, also under renovation.

The county needs more judges. But even if the upcoming Texas legislature decides not to add another county court-at-law judge and/or a new district judge, existing judges still need courtroom space.

Krause said having more courtrooms would allow judges to process cases a little faster than they are now.

Where Does Water Go?

Water supplies are a concern, although not a responsibility of county government, Krause said.

Need for More Local Control

But the biggest issue Comal County faces is gaining local control over controversial projects like Vulcan Quarry, a proposed 1,500-acre rock-crushing plant at SH 46 and FM 3009, between Bulverde and New Braunfels, that’s ringed by rapidly growing subdivisions.

He said politicians who do have zoning authority in Washington D.C. or Austin don’t understand the needs of local authorities and jurisdictions. County governments only have authority granted to them by the state legislature.

“The idea is to allow a lot more of that decision-making to occur on the local level,” Krause said.

Comal County’s asked the state to give it more control for the last 20 years.

“As the growth continues, obviously we have a bigger need for controlling things, with growth being one of them,” he said.

“There are a lot of residents that live out there that don’t want a quarry as their neighbor.”

Upcoming Events

James Oliver of Texas Agricultural Land Trust is the featured speaker at the August meeting of Comal County Conservation Alliance. He'll discuss conservation easements and how they help preserve open lands in Comal County. Open to the public.

Join experts from Crisis Center of Comal County for a workshop that encourages early discussions about healthy relationships for children, starting in childhood and extending through adolescence. "We believe there is power in open, honest dialog but we know that can feel uncomfortable or challenging. We're here to offer some ...

Kids enjoy Minecraft at Tye Preston Memorial Public Library each Thursday. They play on individual laptops. Free, and lots of fun (unless the attending grown-up doesn't know the game). Pick up laptops at the Help Desk.

School supplies, haircuts, vision-and-hearing tests and much more for kids. Free to all school-age children. Vendors and donations welcomed! Community Resource and Recreatioan Center of Canyon Lake provides vital social service resources and life-enriching recreational and educational opportunities for Canyon Lake residents.

Jon Zeitler, Science & Operations officer for National Weather Service, Austin/San Antonio Weather Forecast Office, discusses phenology, the study of key seasonal changes in plants and animals from year-to-year. Examples include flowering, emergence of insects and migration of birds as they relate to timing and relationship with weather and climate. ...

Books for little free libraries.The Comal County Sheriff’s Office participated in a book drive for Startzville Elementary School Library. The books will be used to create Little Free Libraries in Canyon Lake neighborhoods. ... See MoreSee Less

Get ready to put 'em on the bus. Follow these directions --The 2018-2019 school bus routes for the Smithson Valley feeder are available now on Bus Route Locator.

To access the Bus Route Locator, find the link located on the main www.comalisd.org web page under the Spotlight menu. You will need to enter your address and other necessary information in order to find your route.

*Bus Routes are subject to change due to students continuing to enroll into our District. You are encouraged to revisit the Bus Route Locator link to verify your student’s schedule prior to the first day of school*

If you have any questions, please give the Transportation Department a call at 830-885-9800.

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My Canyon Lake is a "hyperlocal" tourist and local business portal for Texas Hill Country news, events, places, venues, lodging & advertising. Advertise your business or service to Winter Texans, locals, and tourists in the Canyon Lake, Gruene & New Braunfels Texas area.

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